Retainer systems for ground engaging tools

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a retainer system for a ground engaging tool. In one exemplary embodiment, the retainer system may include a lock having a C-shaped portion defining a lock slot between two circumferential ends for receiving a portion of a support member to be locked with the ground engaging tool. The retainer system may also include a retainer bushing having an inner surface configured to receive the lock, where the lock may be rotatable relative to the retainer bushing and about a retainer axis between an unlocked position and a locked position. The retainer system may further include a cover piece configured to be attached to the retainer bushing for covering the lock slot of the lock when the lock is in the locked position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/829,781, filed May 31, 2013, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to ground engaging tools and,more particularly, to retainer systems for removably attaching theground engaging tools to various earth-working machines.

BACKGROUND

Earth-working machines, such as, for example, excavators, wheel loaders,hydraulic mining shovels, cable shovels, bucket wheels, bulldozers, anddraglines, are generally used for digging or ripping into the earth orrock and/or moving looseed work material from one place to another at aworksite. These earth-working machines include various earth-workingimplements, such as a bucket or a blade, for excavating or moving thework material. These implements can be subjected to extreme wear fromthe abrasion and impacts experienced during the earth-workingapplications.

To protect these implements against wear, and thereby prolong the usefullife of the implements, various ground engaging tools, such as teeth,edge protectors, and other wear members, can be provided to theearth-working implements in the areas where the most damaging abrasionsand impacts occur. These ground engaging tools are removably attached tothe implements using customized retainer systems, so that worn ordamaged ground engaging tools can be readily removed and replaced withnew ground engaging tools.

Many retainer systems have been proposed and used for removablyattaching various ground engaging tools to earth-working implements. Oneexample of such retainer systems is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,640,684to Adamic et al. The disclosed retainer system includes a releasablelocking assembly for attaching a wear member to a support structure. Thewear member includes at least one pin-retainer-receiving opening in oneside. The opening is tapered, being narrower at its outer surface andwider at its inner surface. The support structure includes at least onepin receiving recess which generally aligns with the opening in the wearmember when the wear member and the support structure are operativelycoupled. A pin retainer that is frustoconically shaped and threadedinternally is inserted into the opening in the wear member. The wearmember is slidably mounted onto the support structure. The pin that isexternally threaded is screwed into the pin retainer by the applicationof torque force from a standard ratchet tool. The pin extends throughthe wear member and into the recess in the support structure to lock thewear member to the support structure. The pin may be released using aratchet tool and removed from the pin retainer. The wear member may thenbe removed from the support structure.

Another example of a retainer system for removably attaching variousground engaging tools to earth-working implements is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 7,762,015 to Smith et al. The retainer system includes arotating lock having a slot for receiving a post of an adapter mountedto or part of a work tool. When the lock is rotated, the entrance to theslot is blocked and the post cannot slide out of the slot.

Many problems and/or disadvantages still exist with these known retainersystems. Various embodiments of the present disclosure may solve one ormore of the problems and/or disadvantages.

SUMMARY

According to one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed toa retainer system for a ground engaging tool. The retainer system maycomprise a lock including a C-shaped portion defining a lock slotbetween two circumferential ends for receiving a portion of a supportmember to be locked with the ground engaging tool. The retainer systemmay also comprise a retainer bushing including an inner surfaceconfigured to receive the lock, wherein the lock is rotatable relativeto the retainer bushing and about a retainer axis between an unlockedposition and a locked position. The retainer system may further includea cover piece configured to be attached to the retainer bushing forcovering the lock slot of the lock when the lock is in the lockedposition.

In another exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to acover piece for use with a retainer system for a ground engaging tool,where the retainer system includes a lock and a retainer bushingconfigured to receive the lock, and the lock defines a lock slotconfigured to receive a portion of a support member to be locked withthe ground engaging tool and is rotatable relative to the retainerbushing about a retainer axis between an unlocked position and a lockedposition. The cover piece may include a plate member configured to beattached to the retainer bushing and cover the lock slot of the lockwhen the lock is in the locked position.

In still another exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed toa cover piece for use with a retainer bushing for a ground engagingtool, wherein the retainer bushing includes a C-shaped portionconfigured to rotatably receive a lock about a retainer axis forengaging a portion of a support member to be locked with the groundengaging tool. The cover piece may comprise a C-shaped plate memberextending approximately the same angular degree around the retainer axisas the C-shaped portion of the retainer bushing and being configured tobe attached to the retainer bushing to cover at least a portion of abottom opening of the retainer bushing defined by the C-shaped portion.The plate member may comprise an outer plate surface that issubstantially flush with the bottom surface of the retainer bushing whenthe plate member is attached to the retainer bushing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a loader bucket having a plurality ofground engaging tools attached thereto according to one exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tooth assembly according to oneexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tip of the tooth assembly shown inFIG. 2, with a lock and a retainer bushing positioned in a lock cavityof the tip;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lock of a retainer system according toone exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from a bottom of the lock shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a retainer bushing according to oneexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from a bottom of the retainer bushing ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the tip of FIG. 3, illustrating a mountingcavity for receiving the corresponding adapter shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the tip along plane IX-IX of FIG. 8,with the locks and retainer bushings positioned in lock cavities;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a cooperative arrangementbetween the lock of FIGS. 4 and 5 and the retainer bushing of FIGS. 6and 7;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the retainer bushing of FIGS. 6 and 7,illustrating an exemplary geometrical configuration of detentprojections;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a lock according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view along plane XIII-XIII of the lockshown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the lock shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a lock according to still anotherexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a side view from the direction of the arrow of the lock shownin FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view along plain XVII-XVII of the lockshown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of a lock according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of a lock having a helical bottom surfaceaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the lock shown in FIG. 19;

FIGS. 21-24 are schematic illustrations of various positions of a lockrelative to a retainer bushing in a lock cavity according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 25 and 26 are schematic illustrations of a locked position (FIG.25) and an unlocked position (FIG. 26) of a lock relative to a retainerbushing in a lock cavity according to another exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIGS. 27 and 28 are schematic illustrations of a locked position (FIG.27) and an unlocked position (FIG. 28) of a lock relative to a retainerbushing in a lock cavity according to still another exemplary embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view illustrating a retainer bushing and acover piece configured to mate with the retainer bushing, according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the retainer bushing and cover piece ofFIG. 29 in an assembled position;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view illustrating various constituents of alock, according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing the various constituents of thelock of FIG. 31 from a different angle;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the lock shown in FIGS. 31 and 32 in anassembled position;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a lock and a retainer bushing of aretainer system according to still another exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the retainer system of FIG. 34, withits lock and retainer bushing engaged with one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an excavator bucket assembly 1 as an exemplaryimplement of an earth-working machine. Excavator bucket assembly 1includes a bucket 2 used for excavating work material in a known manner.Bucket 2 may include a variety of ground engaging tools. For example,bucket 2 may include a plurality of tooth assemblies 10, as groundengaging tools, attached to a base edge 5 of bucket 2. Tooth assemblies10 may be secured to bucket 2 employing retainer systems according tothe present disclosure. While various embodiments of the presentdisclosure will be described in connection with a particular groundengaging tool (e.g., tooth assembly 10), it should be understood thatthe present disclosure may be applied to, or used in connection with,any other type of ground engaging tools or components. Further, itshould be understood that one or more features described in connectionwith one embodiment can be implemented in any of the other disclosedembodiments unless otherwise specifically noted.

Referring to FIG. 2, tooth assembly 10 may include an adapter 20configured to engage base edge 5 of bucket 2 or other suitable supportstructure of an implement. Tooth assembly 10 may also include aground-engaging tip 30 configured to be removably attached to adapter20. Tooth assembly 10 may further include a retainer system 50configured to secure tip 30 to adapter 20. Tip 30 endures the majorityof the impact and abrasion caused by engagement with work material, andwears down more quickly and breaks more frequently than adapter 20.Consequently, multiple tips 30 may be attached to adapter 20, worn down,and replaced before adapter 20 itself needs to be replaced. As will bedetailed herein, various exemplary embodiments of retainer system 50,consistent with the present disclosure, may facilitate attachment anddetachment of ground engaging tools to and from support structure of animplement.

Adapter 20 may include a pair of first and second mounting legs 26, 28defining a recess 27 therebetween for receiving base edge 5. Adapter 20may be secured in place on base edge 5 by attaching first mounting leg26 and second mounting leg 28 to base edge 5 using any suitableconnection method. For example, mounting legs 26 and 28 and base edge 5may have corresponding apertures (not shown) through which any suitablefasteners such as bolts or rivets may be inserted to hold adapter 20 inplace. Alternatively or additionally, mounting legs 26 and 28 may bewelded to the corresponding top and bottom surfaces of base edge 5. Anyother connection method and/or configuration known in the art may beused alternatively or additionally. For example, in some exemplaryembodiments, an adapter may be configured to use any of the retainersystems disclosed herein to secure the adapter to a suitable supportstructure of an implement.

Adapter 20 may include a nose 21 extending in a forward direction. Asshown in FIG. 3, nose 21 may be configured to be received in a mountingcavity 35 of tip 30. Nose 21 may be configured to support tip 30 duringuse of bucket 2 and to facilitate retention of tip 30 on nose 21 whenbearing the load of the work material. Nose 21 may include an integralpost 23 extending from each lateral side 22, 24. Post 23 may havevarious shapes and sizes. In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG.2, post 23 may have a frustoconical shape. As will be described in moredetail herein, posts 23 may cooperate with retainer system 50 to securetip 30 to adapter 20.

As shown in the rear view of tip 30 in FIG. 3, tip 30 may definemounting cavity 35 inside tip 30 having a complementary configurationrelative to nose 21 of adapter 20. Tip 30 may have various outer shapes.For example, as shown in FIG. 2, tip 30 may generally taper as itextends forward. For example, an upper surface 32 of tip 30 may slopedownward as it extends forward, and a lower surface 38 of tip 30 mayextend generally upward as it extends forward. Alternatively, lowersurface 38 may extend generally straight or downward as it extendsforward. At its forward end, tip 30 may have a wedge-shaped edge 31.

As mentioned above, tip 30 may be secured to adapter 20 via retainersystem 50. Retainer system 50 may include a lock 60 and a retainerbushing 70. Tip 30 and/or adapter 20 may have various configurations foraccommodating lock 60 and retainer bushing 70 therein. For example, inthe exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, tip 30 may include alock cavity 40 in each of its lateral sides 37 for housing lock 60 andretainer bushing 70. Lock 60 and retainer bushing 70 may be seatedwithin lock cavity 40 when assembled to tip 30. Tip 30 may also includea lock bulge 45 extending outward of each lock cavity 40. While theexemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 has lock cavity 40 and lockbulge 45 on each lateral side 37 of tip 30, tip 30 may have differentnumbers and/or arrangements of lock cavities 40 and lock bulges 45.

In one exemplary embodiment, lock 60 and retainer bushing 70 may beconfigured to seat within an inner surface 43 of lock cavity 40 in amanner allowing lock 60 to rotate at least partially around a lockrotation axis 65 (FIGS. 4, 5, and 9) relative to retainer bushing 70. Asbest shown in FIG. 9, retainer bushing 70 may seat directly againstinner surface 43 of lock cavity 40, and lock 60 may seat against innersurface 74 of retainer bushing 70. On the rear side of lock cavity 40,lock cavity 40 may open into a side slot 41 that extends rearward fromlock cavity 40 along inner surface 39 of lateral side 37. Side slot 41may have a cross-section configured to allow passage of at least aportion of post 23 of adapter 20 being inserted from the rear end of tip30.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, retainer bushing 70 may include a C-shapedskirt 73 that extends around a retainer axis 75. Skirt 73 may extendonly partway around retainer axis 75. In some exemplary embodiments,skirt 73 may extend approximately the same angular degree aroundretainer axis 75 as inner surface 43 of lock cavity 40 extends aroundlock rotation axis 65.

Retainer bushing 70 may be configured to mate with inner surface 43 oflock cavity 40. For example, retainer bushing 70 may include an outersurface 76 with a frustoconical portion 71 configured to mate with acorresponding frustoconical portion of inner surface 43 in lock cavity40. When retainer bushing 70 is disposed within lock cavity 40 withfrustoconical portion 71 of outer surface 76 mated to the correspondingfrustoconical portion of inner surface 43, retainer axis 75 may coincidewith lock rotation axis 65 of lock 60, as shown in FIG. 10.

Lock cavity 40 may be configured such that, when retainer bushing 70 isseated in lock cavity 40, rotation of retainer bushing 70 with respectto lock rotation axis 65 is substantially prevented. For example, asbest shown in FIG. 2, lock cavity 40 may include a shoulder 48 extendingadjacent the circumferential outer ends of inner surface 43 and abuttingthe circumferential outer ends of skirt 73 of retainer bushing 70.Retainer bushing 70 may also include an inner surface 74 opposite outersurface 76 and extending circumferentially around and concentric withretainer axis 75. Accordingly, inner surface 74 may extendcircumferentially around and concentric with lock rotation axis 65 whenretainer bushing 70 is assembled with lock 60 in lock cavity 40.

In some exemplary embodiments, retainer bushing 70 may include one ormore detents for engaging corresponding detents of lock 60. For example,as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, retainer bushing 70 may include detentprojections 77 extending radially inward from inner surface 74. Detentprojections 77 may be located at various positions on retainer bushing70. For example, detent projections 77 may be spaced approximately 180degrees from one another around retainer axis 75. In one exemplaryembodiment, a portion 78 of outer surface 76 in retainer bushing 70 thatis directly opposite the location of detent projection 77 may have asmooth surface without any depression or surface discontinuity, as shownin FIGS. 6 and 7.

Detent projections 77 may have various shapes. In one exemplaryembodiment, each detent projection 77 may include a generally convexcurved surface, such as a constant-radius surface, jutting radiallyoutward from inner surface 74. The convex curved surface may decrease insize (e.g., radius) along a direction substantially parallel to retaineraxis 75. As shown in FIG. 11, each of detent projections 77 may have aconvex curved surface with a substantially constant radius R, whosecenter C is positioned at a distance d₁ from retainer axis 75 that isgreater than a distance d₂ between retainer axis 75 and outer-mostsurface of retainer bushing 70. The dotted line in FIG. 11 depicts innersurface 74 of retainer bushing 70 at an elevation where radius R ofdetent projection 77 is at the greatest.

By way of example only, radius R may range from approximately 9.5 mm toapproximately 14.2 mm. Distance d₁ may range from approximately 36.0 mmto approximately 53.7 mm. Distance d₂ may range from approximately 28.8mm to approximately 43.0 mm. In one exemplary embodiment, distance d₁,distance d₂, and radius R may be approximately 53.7 mm, 43.0 mm, and 4.2mm, respectively. Further, in some exemplary embodiments, the ratio ofdistance d; to distance d₂ may be approximately 1.25, and the ratio ofdistance d₁ to radius R may be approximately 3.8.

As mentioned above, lock 60 may be configured to mate with inner surface74 of retainer bushing 70. For example, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,lock 60 may include a skirt 63 with an outer surface 66 having asubstantially the same profile as inner surface 74 of retainer bushing70. Outer surface 66 of skirt 63 may be concentric with and extendcircumferentially around lock rotation axis 65. Skirt 63 and outersurface 66 may extend only partway around lock rotation axis 65. Forexample, skirt 63 and outer surface 66 may extend around lock rotationaxis 65 substantially the same angular degree that skirt 73 of retainerbushing 70 extends around retainer axis 75. With skirt 63 and outersurface 66 of lock 60 so configured, lock 60 may be seated withinretainer bushing 70 with outer surface 66 of lock 60 mated to innersurface 74 of retainer bushing 70. When lock 60 is so positioned withinretainer bushing 70, lock rotation axis 65 may coincide with retaineraxis 75.

Lock 60 may include one or more detent recesses 67 configured to engagecorresponding detent projections 77 of retainer bushing 70 to releasablyhold lock 60 in predetermined rotational positions about lock rotationaxis 65. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, detent recess 67 oflock 60 may extend radially inward from outer surface 66 of skirt 63.Detent recesses 67 may have a shape configured to mate with detentprojections 77. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, detentrecesses 67 may include a concave surface, such as a constant-radiuscurved surface, extending radially inward from outer surface 66. In someembodiments, detent recesses 67 may be spaced approximately the samedistance from one another as detent projections 77. Thus, where detentprojections 77 are spaced approximately 180 degrees from one another,detent recesses 67 may likewise be spaced approximately 180 degrees fromone another. Accordingly, lock 60 may be positioned in retainer bushing70 with outer surface 66 seated against inner surface 74 of retainerbushing 70 and detent projections 77 extending into detent recesses 67.In an alternative embodiment, as will be described in more detail laterwith reference to FIGS. 21-24, lock 560 may include only one detentrecess 567 while retainer bushing 570 may include two detent projections577 and 579.

Retainer bushing 70 may be configured to deflect so as to allow detentprojections 77 to engage and/or disengage detent recesses 67 of lock 60.For example, retainer bushing 70 may be constructed at least partiallyof a flexible material, including but not limited to, a plastic materialor an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, retainer bushing 70 maybe constructed wholly of such a flexible material.

According to one exemplary embodiment, retainer bushing 70 may beconstructed of self-lubricating material that may either exude or shedlubricating substance. For example, retainer bushing 70 may be made ofthermoplastic material comprising polyoxymethylene (POM), also known asDelrin®. Retainer bushing 70 made of such material may exhibit lowfriction while maintaining dimensional stability.

Lock 60 may be constructed of metal. Alternatively or additionally, allor a portion of the surface of lock 60 may be coated with afriction-reducing material. The term “friction-reducing material,” asused herein, refers to a material that renders the surface of lock 60 tohave a friction coefficient ranging from approximately 0.16 toapproximately 0.7. For example, at least a portion of the surface oflock 60 may be plated with zinc to reduce friction on the surface oflock 60 (e.g., surface between lock 60 and retainer bushing 70) to afriction coefficient between approximately 0.16 to approximately 0.7.

In another exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the surface oflock 60 may be coated with graphite powder. The graphite powder may beaerosolized and sprayed directly onto the surface of lock 60.Alternatively or additionally, the graphite powder may be mixed with asuitable solvent material and applied to the surface of lock 60 by usinga brush or dipping the lock 60 into the mixture. In one exemplaryembodiment, a commercially available graphite lubricant, such as theproducts sold under trademark SLIP Plate, may be used alternatively oradditionally.

Lock 60 may be configured to receive at least part of post 23 of adapter20. For example, as best shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 9, lock 60 may includea lock slot 62 extending into skirt 63. Lock slot 62 may have an openend 69 between two circumferential ends of skirt 63 and a closed end 68adjacent a middle portion of skirt 63. In some embodiments, lock slot 62may have a size and shape such that it can receive frustoconical post 23of adapter 20. The inner surface 64 of skirt 63 may be sloped so as tomate with frustoconical post 23 of adapter 20 adjacent closed end 68 oflock slot 62.

Lock 60 may also include a head portion 80 attached to skirt 63 adjacentthe narrow end of skirt 63. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, head portion80 may include a wall 82 extending in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to lock rotation axis 65 and across the narrow end ofskirt 63. In some embodiments, wall 82 may fully enclose the side oflock slot 62 adjacent the narrow end of skirt 63. The side of headportion 80 opposite lock slot 62 may include a projection 86 extendingfrom wall 82 away from skirt 63 along lock rotation axis 65. Projection86 may include a substantially cylindrical outer surface 87 extendingaround most of lock rotation axis 65 and a tab 88 extending radiallyoutward relative to lock rotation axis 65. In some exemplaryembodiments, tab 88 may extend transverse relative to the direction thatlock slot 62 extends from open end 69 to closed end 68.

As mentioned above, lock 60 may be installed with retainer bushing 70 inlock cavity 40 with outer surface 66 of lock 60 mated to inner surface74 of retainer bushing 70 and detent recesses 67 of lock 60 mated todetent projections 77 of retainer bushing 70. When lock 60 is disposedin this position, open end 69 of lock slot 62 may face rearward, asshown in FIGS. 3 and 9. This position allows sliding insertion andremoval of post 23 into and out of lock slot 62 through open end 69.Accordingly, this position of lock 60 may be considered an unlockedposition.

To lock post 23 inside lock slot 62, lock 60 may be rotated with respectto lock rotation axis 65 to a locked position. In this locked position,the portion of lock skirt 63 adjacent closed end 68 may preclude slidingmovement of post 23 relative to lock slot 62, thereby preventing slidingmovement of tip 30 relative to adapter 20. The locked position of lock60 may be approximately 180 degrees from the unlocked position aboutlock rotation axis 65. In the locked position, as in the unlockedposition, detent recesses 67 of lock 60 may engage detent projections 77of retainer bushing 70, which may releasably hold lock 60 in the lockedposition.

To rotate lock 60 between the unlocked position and the locked position,sufficient torque may be applied to lock 60 with respect to lockrotation axis 65 to cause detent projections 77 and/or detent recesses67 to deflect and disengage from one another. Once detent projections 77and detent recesses 67 are disengaged from one another, outer surface 66of skirt 63 of lock 60 may slide along inner surface 74 of retainerbushing 70 as lock 60 rotates around lock rotation axis 65. Once lock 60rotates approximately 180 degrees around lock rotation axis 65, detentprojections 77 and detent recesses 67 may reengage one another toreleasably hold lock 60 in that rotational position.

Lock 60 may also include a tool interface 84 in head portion 80 tofacilitate rotating lock 60 about lock rotation axis 65. Tool interface84 may include any type of features configured to be engaged by a toolfor applying torque to lock 60 about lock rotation axis 65. For example,as shown in FIG. 4, tool interface 84 may include a socket recess with across-section configured to engage a socket driver, such as a socketwrench. When lock 60 is seated within lock cavity 40, head portion 80defining tool interface 84 may extend at least partially through lockcavity 40 and lock bulges 45, and lock cavity 40 may provide an accessopening for a tool to engage tool interface 84.

Ground engaging tools and the associated retainer systems of the presentdisclosure are not limited to the exemplary configurations describedabove. For example, ground engaging tool 10 may include a differentnumber of lock cavities 40, and ground engaging tool 10 may employ adifferent number and configuration of posts 23, locks 60, and retainerbushings 70. Additionally, in lieu of adapter 20 and posts 23, groundengaging tool 10 may employ one or more pins fixed to or integrallyformed with suitable support structure.

Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure may provide variousalternative and/or additional configurations of retainer systems forremovably attaching ground engaging tools to suitable support structureof an implement. For example, further modifications to a lock and/or aretention bushing of a retainer system may be possible to improve theperformance of the retention system. In the following descriptions,various embodiments of the retainer system that may reduce frictioncaused by work material around the retainer system during rotation ofthe lock are disclosed.

It should be noted that, in the description of the followingembodiments, only the features that are different from theabove-described embodiments are highlighted, and the detaileddescription of the features that are common to the above-describedembodiments are omitted herein.

FIGS. 12-14 illustrate a lock 160 of a retainer system according to oneexemplary embodiment. Lock 160 may include a head portion 180 having atool interface 181 extending along a lock rotation axis 165 and aC-shaped skirt 163 extended from head portion 180. Lock 160 may alsoinclude a wall 182 extending in a plane substantially perpendicular tolock rotation axis 165. As best shown in FIG. 13, wall 182 includes afirst surface 183 from which tool interface 181 extends along lockrotation axis 165 and a second surface 184, opposite from first surface183, from which skirt 163 extends at an angle. Tool interface 181 mayinclude a projection 188 extending from wall 182 with a substantiallycylindrical outer surface and a socket recess 189 defined insideprojection 188, where socket recess 189 is configured to receive asocket driver (e.g., a socket wrench) for applying torque to lock 160about lock rotation axis 165.

Wall 182 may include a through-hole 185 having a first end 186 openingout to socket recess 189 of tool interface 181 and a second end 187opening out to lock slot 162 defined by skirt 163. Through-hole 185 thusformed may serve as an escape hole for packed work material to escapefrom lock slot 62. Although through-hole 185 has a circular shape in thedisclosed embodiment, through-hole 185 may have any other shape and/orsize. For example, through-hole 180 may have a rectangular shape and/ora size substantially equal to the opening area of tool interface 181. Inan alternate embodiment, instead of providing projection 188 fordefining tool interface 181, through-hole 185 may define and serve as atool interface.

With through-hole 185 in lock 160, work material that may enter,accumulate, and/or become hardened inside lock slot 162 may escapethrough through-hole 185 and make it easier for an operator to rotatelock 160 relative to a retainer bushing and/or a support member incontact with lock 160.

According to another exemplary embodiment, an outer surface of a skirtin a lock, which is configured to contact an inner surface of a retainerbushing, may include a recessed portion. For example, as shown in FIGS.15-17, lock 260 may include a C-shaped skirt 263 attached to a headportion. Skirt 263 includes an outer surface 266 configured to berotatably received in an inner surface of a retainer bushing (e.g.,inner surface 74 of retainer bushing 70 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). Outersurface 266 may include a recessed portion 264 configured to create agap 265 between inner surface 74 of retainer bushing 70 and a basesurface 268 of recessed portion 264 when outer surface 266 of skirt 263is rotatably received in inner surface 74 of retainer bushing 70.

Portions 269 of outer surface 266 that do not include recessed portion264 may be configured to contact inner surface 74 of retainer bushing 70without affecting relative rotational movement between skirt 263 andretainer bushing 70 and without interfering with gap 265 created byrecessed portion 264. Recessed portion 264 may have any shape and/orsize. For example, while recessed portion 264 shown in FIG. 16 has agenerally T-shape, recessed portion 264 may have a generallyrectangular, trapezoidal, or circular shape formed around a portion ofouter surface 266. In some exemplary embodiments, recessed portion 264may have a plurality of recessed portions 264.

By way of example only, recessed portion 264 may have a depth D_(recess)(i.e., distance between outer surface 266 at portions 269 and basesurface 268 of recessed portion 264) of approximately 0.12 to 0.2 timesthe thickness of skirt 263. In some exemplary embodiments, depthD_(recess) may range between approximately 1.0 mm to approximately 1.7mm. In one exemplary embodiment, recessed portion 264 has depthD_(recess) of approximately 1.2 mm.

With skirt 263 provided with one or more recessed portions 264, any workmaterial that may enter into a space between inner surface 74 ofretainer bushing 70 and outer surface 266 of lock 260 may freely movewithin gap 265 formed between recessed portion 264 and inner surface 74of retainer bushing 70. As a result, potentially adverse effects (e.g.,increased friction between lock 260 and retainer bushing 70) caused bywork material between outer surface 266 of lock 260 and inner surface 74of retainer bushing 70 can be reduced or eliminated.

In accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure, FIG. 18 illustrates a configuration of a skirt 363 of a lock360, which may facilitate accommodation of a worn post 23 in a lock slot362 of skirt 363. For example, lock 360 includes C-shaped skirt 363having an outer surface configured to be rotatably received in an innersurface of a retainer bushing and an inner surface 364 defining a lockslot 362 configured to receive a support member (e.g., post 23 ofadapter 20 shown in FIG. 2) to be locked with a ground engaging tool.Inner surface 364 may extend between a first circumferential end 367 anda second circumferential end 368 to define lock slot 362. Inner surface364 may be sloped at an angle corresponding to a frustoconical portionof a support member (e.g., post 23).

For description purposes, inner surface 364 may be divided into a firstinner surface 372 and a second inner surface 378. First inner surface372 extends between first circumferential end 367 and a midpoint 375between first circumferential end 367 and second circumferential end368. Second inner surface 378 extends between second circumferential end368 and midpoint 375. As shown in FIG. 18, first inner surface 372 andsecond inner surface 378 may be symmetrical with respect to a firstplane 374 that is substantially parallel to lock rotation axis 365 andpassing through midpoint 375. In an alternative embodiment, first innersurface 372 and second inner surface 378 may not be in a symmetry withone another.

First inner surface 372 and second inner surface 378 may be configuredsuch that, on a given horizontal plane extending substantiallyperpendicular to lock rotation axis 365, a distance d₃ between firstcircumferential end 367 and second circumferential end 368 is less thana maximum distance d_(max) between first inner surface 372 and secondinner surface 378, where distances d₃ and d_(max) are measured in adirection perpendicular to first plane 374.

By way of example only, maximum distance d_(max) at a plane containingbase 366 may range from approximately 60 mm and 64 mm, and distance d₃may range from approximately 50 mm to approximately 54 mm. The ratio ofdistance d₃ to maximum distance d_(max) may range from approximately0.83 to approximately 0.84.

When post 23 of adapter 20 is worn, post 23 may be displaced from anormal center location. With the disclosed configuration of skirt 363that defines lock slot 362, either or both of circumferential ends 367and 368 may serve as a hooking member for grasping worn post 23 andguiding it into lock slot 362.

In some exemplary embodiments, a base of a skirt in a lock may be shavedor form a recessed portion to provide a space for work material betweenthe base and a support structure (e.g., lateral side 22 of adapter 20shown in FIG. 2). Although a small gap of about 0.1 mm is generallyprovided between the base and the support structure, work material thatmay enter into the gap may fill up the gap and become hardened overtime. The packed or hardened work material in the gap may increasefriction between the base and the support structure, which may increasetorque necessary to rotate the lock. To reduce the friction caused bythe packed work material, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, lock 460 mayinclude a sloped surface 480 at base 468 of skirt 463, such as a helicalsurface 480.

For example, C-shaped skirt 463 of lock 460 may include a firstcircumferential end 461 and a second circumferential end 469 defining alock slot 462 therebetween. Skirt 463 further includes an outer surface450 configured to be rotatably received in an inner surface of aretainer bushing (e.g., inner surface 74 of retainer bushing 70 of FIGS.6 and 7) and an inner surface 470 configured to contact a portion of asupport member (e.g., post 23 of FIG. 2) in lock slot 462. Skirt 463also includes base 468 extending between outer surface 450 and innersurface 470, where base 468 includes sloped surface 480. Sloped surface480 may occupy substantially all or only a portion of base 468. Slopedsurface 480 may extend in a direction non-parallel to a planeperpendicular to lock rotation axis 465. Sloped surface 480 may bedefined by an outer edge 490, and at least a portion of the outer edge490 (e.g., a portion that connects between outer surface 450 and base468) may extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to lock rotationaxis 465.

In some exemplary embodiments, sloped surface 480 may form helicalsurface 480 with a depth increasing from a first end 481 to a second end489 when measured from the plane of outer edge 490. First end 481 may beadjacent first circumferential end 461, and second end 489 may beadjacent second circumferential end 469. By way of example only, helicalsurface 480 may have a helix angle of approximately 2.5 degrees with thepitch of the helix of approximately 6 mm, and the maximum depth D_(max)adjacent second end 489 of helical surface 480, as shown in FIG. 20, maybe approximately 4.0 mm. With sloped or helical surface 480 providing areduced base profile relative to a support structure that comes intocontact with base 468, friction between base 468 of lock 460 and asurface of the support structure can be substantially reduced.

According to another exemplary embodiment, FIGS. 21-24 schematicallyillustrate a retainer system 500 employing an eccentric lock assemblyfor creating one or more gaps between various components of retainersystem 500. As will be detailed herein, retainer system 500 shown inFIGS. 21-24 encompasses, among other features, the following twofeatures: (1) a lock 560 having an eccentric outer surface 566 to createa gap between an outer surface 566 and a portion of a lock cavity 540and/or a retainer bushing 570; and (2) a lock 560 having a rotationalaxis 575 not coinciding with a center 525 of a post 523 to create a gapbetween an inner surface 568 of lock 560 and post 523. While these twofeatures are disclosed together in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 21-24,it should be understood that a retainer system consistent with thepresent disclosure may separately include only one of these features, asfurther illustrated in FIGS. 25-28.

FIG. 21 illustrates retainer system 500 in a locked position with post523 of a support structure received in a lock slot 562 defined by aC-shaped skirt 563 of lock 560. Post 523 has a radius R₁ from its center525. Skirt 563 is rotatably received in a retainer bushing 570. Retainerbushing 570 may be seated in lock cavity 540 of a ground engaging tool530 with an outer surface 572 of retainer bushing 570 mating with aninner surface of lock cavity 540. Retainer bushing 570 may include aninner surface 574 extended about lock rotation axis 575 with a radiusR₂. The circumference 576 defined by radius R₂ about lock rotation axis575 is indicated with a dotted line in FIG. 21. By way of example only,in some exemplary embodiments, radius R₂ may range from approximately 37mm to approximately 42 mm.

Outer surface 566 of skirt 563 may extend about lock rotation axis 575and may be configured to be rotatably received in inner surface 574 ofretainer bushing 570. As shown in FIG. 21, lock rotation axis 575coincides with the retainer axis of retainer bushing 570 when retainerbushing 570 is seated within lock cavity 540 with outer surface 566 ofskirt 563 rotatably received in inner surface 574 of retainer bushing570.

Outer surface 566 may have, at least in part, a varying radius withrespect to lock rotation axis 575. For example, as shown in FIG. 21,outer surface 566 may have a gradually decreasing radius in a clockwisedirection (e.g., in a direction opposite the rotational direction oflock 560), forming an eccentric surface with respect to lock rotationaxis 575. In one exemplary embodiment, the varying radius may extendfrom one circumferential end of skirt 563 to another circumferentialend. In an alternative embodiment, the varying radius may extend fromany location between two circumferential ends of skirt 563 to one of thecircumferential ends of skirt 563. This eccentric configuration of outersurface 566 may create a gap between outer surface 566 and a portion oflock cavity 540 (e.g., a portion that abuts outer surface 566 in thelocked position) and/or retainer bushing 570 when lock 560 is rotatedfrom the locked position, shown in FIG. 21, to an unlocked position.Creating such a gap may reduce friction caused by work material packedbetween outer surface 566 and a portion of lock cavity 540 and/orretainer bushing 570, thereby facilitating the rotation of lock 560during an unlocking operation of retainer system 500. By way of exampleonly, the radius of outer surface 566 may vary within a range betweenapproximately 40 mm and approximately 45 mm.

In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, a portion of lockcavity 540 may have a surface 544 protruding inside circumference 576defined by radius R₂, such that surface 544 may contact at least aportion of eccentric outer surface 566 of skirt 563 in at least thelocked position. In some exemplary embodiments, surface 544 may have ashape conforming to the profile of outer surface 566.

As shown in FIG. 21, lock rotation axis 575 of lock 560 may not coincidewith center 525 of post 523. Further, inner surface 568 of skirt 563 maybe configured such that, as skirt 563 is rotated from the lockedposition of FIG. 21 to the unlocked position of FIG. 24, substantiallythe same distance R₃ is maintained between an inner surface axis 565 anda portion of inner surface 568 (e.g., a closed end 561 of skirt 563)that contacts post 523 in the locked position shown in FIG. 21. Thiseccentric arrangement between lock 560 and post 523 may create a gapbetween inner surface 568 of skirt 563 and post 523 as skirt 563 isrotated from the locked position of FIG. 21 to an unlocked position ofFIG. 24, thereby reducing friction caused by work material packedbetween lock 560 and post 523 during the unlocking operation of retainersystem 500.

In the disclosed embodiment of FIGS. 21-24, retainer bushing 570 mayinclude a first detent projection 577 and a second detent projection579, each located near each of the corresponding circumferential ends ofretainer bushing 570 and spaced from one another by approximately 180degrees. Skirt 563 may have only one detent recess 567 configured tomate with either one of first and second detent projections 577 and 579.In the locked position shown in FIG. 21, detent recess 567 of skirt 563may engage first detent projection 577 to rotationally hold skirt 563 inthe locked position, and closed end 561 of skirt 563 mates with an outersurface of post 523 to securely retain post 523 in lock slot 562. Due tothe difference between radius R₂ of inner surface 574 of retainerbushing 570 and the varying radius of eccentric outer surface 566 ofskirt 563, outer surface 566 of skirt 563 may engage second detentprojection 579. For example, even though skirt 563 does not include asecond detent recess corresponding to second detent projection 579,radius R₂ of inner surface 574 of retainer bushing 570 and the varyingradius of outer surface 566 can be arranged such that outer surface 566of skirt 563 can provide sufficient structural support relative toretainer bushing 570 with only one detent recess 567.

To move retainer system 500 from the locked position of FIG. 21 to anunlocked position of FIG. 24, lock 560 may be rotated counter-clockwiseabout lock rotation axis 575. As described above, lock 560 may include atool interface (not shown) in a head portion to rotate lock 560 andskirt 563. FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate intermediate positions between thelocked position of FIG. 21 and the unlocked position of FIG. 24. Asskirt 563 is rotated counter-clockwise from the locked position of FIG.21, closed end 561 or any other portion of inner surface 568 of skirt563 moves away from the outer surface of post 523, creating a gap inlock slot 562 between inner surface 568 of skirt 563 and post 523, asshown in FIG. 22. As a result, work material 590 packed between innersurface 568 of skirt 563 and post 523 in the locked position may beloosened, displaced, and/or dispersed away from skirt 563, making iteasier for an operator to rotate lock 560. Further rotation of skirt563, as shown in FIG. 23, may create an additional gap between skirt 563and post 523 and, as is apparent from FIG. 23, packed work material 590may no longer interfere significantly with the rotation of skirt 563.

In the unlocked position shown in FIG. 24, detent recess 567 of skirt563 may engage second detent projection 579 of retainer bushing 570 torotationally fix skirt 563 in the unlocked position. Similar to thelocked position of FIG. 21, outer surface 566 of skirt 563 may engagefirst detent projection 577 while detent recess 567 of skirt 563 engagessecond detent projection 579. As mentioned above, the engagement betweendetent recess 567 and second detent projection 579 and the contactbetween outer surface 566 of skirt 563 and first detent projection 577may provide sufficient structural support of skirt 563 relative toretainer bushing 570 in the unlocked position.

As mentioned above, retainer system 500 of FIGS. 21-24 encompasses,among other things, two features that can be separately employed in aretainer system. Accordingly, FIGS. 25 and 26 and FIGS. 27 and 28schematically illustrate two exemplary embodiments that separatelyemploy these two features, respectively. In the following description ofthese exemplary embodiments, only the features that are different fromthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 21-24 are highlighted, and the detaileddescription of the features that are common to the above-describedembodiments are omitted herein.

FIGS. 25 and 26 schematically illustrate a retainer system 600 thatemploys a lock 660 having an eccentric outer surface 666 that may createa gap 690 between outer surface 666 and a portion of a lock cavity 640and/or a retainer bushing 670. Lock 660 (and its skirt 663), retainerbushing 670, and lock cavity 640 of this embodiment may be substantiallysimilar to those described above with reference to FIGS. 21-24 and,therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted herein. Retainersystem 600 of FIGS. 25 and 26 may differ from the embodiment of FIGS.21-24 in that a lock rotation axis 675 of lock 660 (and a retainer axisof retainer bushing 670) may coincide with a center of post 623. Inother words, this embodiment does not require that lock 660 and post 623have an eccentric arrangement with respect to each other.

With eccentric outer surface 666 with a varying radius about lockrotation axis 675, lock 660 may create gap 690 between outer surface 666and a portion of lock cavity 640 and/or retainer bushing 670 when lock660 is rotated from the locked position, shown in FIG. 25, to anunlocked position, shown in FIG. 26. Creating gap 690 may reducefriction caused by work material packed between outer surface 666 ofskirt 663 and a portion of lock cavity 640 and/or retainer bushing 670,thereby facilitating the rotation of lock 660 during an unlockingoperation of retainer system 600.

FIGS. 27 and 28 schematically illustrate a retainer system 700 thatemploys a lock 760 having a rotational axis 775 not coinciding with acenter 725 of a post 723 to create a gap between an inner surface oflock 760 and post 723. This eccentric arrangement between and among lock760, retainer bushing 770, and post 723 of this embodiment (e.g., withdifferently arranged center 725 of post 723, lock rotation axis 775,and/or inner surface axis 765) may be substantially similar to thosedescribed above with reference to FIGS. 21-24 and, therefore, detaileddescription thereof will be omitted herein. Retainer system 700 of FIGS.27 and 28 may differ from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 21-24 in thatlock 760 does not include an eccentric outer surface with a varyingradius. Instead, an outer surface 766 of lock 760 may have asubstantially uniform radius with respect to lock rotation axis 775 withouter surface 766 substantially circumscribing a circumference 776defined by radius R₂ about lock rotation axis 775, as shown in FIGS. 27and 28. Further, unlike lock 560 of FIGS. 21-24 having a single detentrecess for mating with either one of first and second detent projections777 and 779, lock 760 may include a first detent recess 767 and a seconddetent recess 769 configured to mate with first detent projection 777and second detent projection 779, respectively, in the locked positionof FIG. 27 and with second detent projection 770 and first detentprojection 777, respective, in the unlocked position of FIG. 28. Itshould be understood that lock 760 of this embodiment may be any one ofthe locks shown in and described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 10, and12-20.

The eccentric arrangement between lock 760 and post 723 may create a gapbetween the inner surface of lock 760 and post 723 as lock 760 isrotated from the locked position of FIG. 27 to an unlocked position ofFIG. 28, thereby reducing friction caused by work material packedbetween lock 760 and post 723 during the unlocking operation of retainersystem 700 and facilitating the rotation of lock 760 during an unlockingoperation of retainer system 700.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a retainer system may includea cover piece configured to cover a portion of a bottom opening of aretainer bushing. For example, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, a retainersystem may include a cover piece 890 configured to mate with a bottomportion of a retainer bushing 870. Cover piece 890 may be configuredsuch that, when a lock (not shown) is placed in a locked position insideretainer bushing 870, a bottom opening of a lock slot (e.g., lock slot62 shown in FIG. 10), which is normally open, is substantially sealed orcovered by cover piece 890. As will be described in more detail herein,covering the bottom opening of the lock slot in the locked position mayprevent or substantially reduce work material from penetrating insidethe lock slot and the space between the lock and retainer bushing 870,thereby eliminating or substantially reducing the packing of workmaterial inside the retainer system. In addition, when the lock receivedin retainer bushing 870 is rotated, circumferential ends and/or inneredge of cover piece 890 may function as a shear member for shearing orbreaking packed work material around the lock and retainer bushing 870.

Referring to FIG. 29, retainer bushing 870 may include an inner surface874 extending circumferentially around a retainer axis 878 and an innerflange 871 extending radially towards retainer axis 878 from an endportion of inner surface 874. When a lock, such as any one of the locksshown in, for example, FIGS. 4, 5, 10, 12-20, and 31-33, is rotatablyreceived inside inner surface 874 of retainer bushing 870, inner flange871 may contact a portion of a base of the lock, as shown in, forexample, FIG. 10. Retainer bushing 870 may include a pair of detentprojections 877 and 879 extending radially inward from inner surface874. Detent projections 877 and 879 may have a variety of shapes andsizes to conform with the corresponding detent recesses of the lockintended to be received in inner surface 874 of retainer bushing 870.

As best shown in FIG. 29, cover piece 890 may be formed of a C-shapedplate member that extends partway around retainer axis 878. Cover piece890 may extend approximately the same angular degree around retaineraxis 878 as retainer bushing 870. An outer edge surface 896 may havesubstantially the same contour, shape, or radius as that defined by theinnermost edge surface of inner flange 871 of retainer bushing 870, suchthat outer edge surface 896 of cover piece 890 may contact the innermostedge surface of inner flange 871 without any gap when cover piece 890 isplaced in retainer bushing 870.

An outer plate surface 895 of cover piece 890 may generally extend in aplane substantially perpendicular to retainer axis 878. As will bedetailed later, cover piece 890 may also include a pair of tabs 892 eachextending radially outwardly from its main C-shaped body to accommodatea projection 891 for engaging a corresponding slot 876 located on abottom surface 875 of retainer bushing 870. When cover piece 890 ispositioned in retainer bushing 870, outer plate surface 895 may besubstantially flush with a bottom surface 875 of retainer bushing 870,as shown in FIG. 30, such that the presence of cover piece 890 would notsignificantly affect the normal operation of the lock and retainerbushing 870.

Cover piece 890 may have a variety of other shapes and/or sizes,depending on the configurations of the retainer bushing, the lock,and/or the post with which cover piece 890 is to be employed. Forexample, as mentioned above, cover piece 890 may be sufficiently sizedand/or shaped to cover at least a portion of the bottom opening ofretainer bushing 870, where the portion covered by cover piece 890corresponds to a bottom opening of a lock slot configured to receive apost in a locked position. Without cover piece 890, the bottom openingof the lock slot would be normally open in the locked position andprovide a path for work material to penetrate inside the space betweenthe lock and retainer bushing 870.

Covering the bottom opening of the lock slot while in the lockedposition may substantially prevent work material from penetrating insidethe space between the lock and retainer bushing 870, therebysubstantially reducing the packing of work material in the retainersystem and making it easier to rotate the lock relative to retainerbushing 870 (e.g., from the locked position to an unlocked position).Accordingly, depending on the shape and/or size of the lock slot, theshape and/or size of cover piece 890 may be appropriately adjusted toensure that cover piece 890 covers substantially all of the bottomopening of the lock slot in a locked position.

Cover piece 890 and/or retainer bushing 870 may include an appropriateprovision for securing cover piece 890 to retainer bushing 870. Forexample, as best shown in FIG. 29, cover piece 890 may include a pair ofprojections 891, and retainer bushing 870 may include a pair of slots876 configured to receive the pair of projections 891. The pair ofprojections 891 may be located adjacent the two circumferential ends ofcover piece 890 and spaced approximately 180 degrees from one anotherabout retainer axis 878. Similarly, the pair of corresponding slots 876may be located adjacent the two circumferential ends of retainer bushing870 and spaced approximately 180 degrees from one another about retaineraxis 878. It should be understood that the number of projections 891 andcorresponding slots 876 may vary depending on, for example, the shapeand/or size of cover piece 890 and the degree of desired structuralstability of cover piece 890 with respect to retainer bushing 870.

Each projection 891 may project from an inner plate surface of coverpiece 890. In some exemplary embodiments, as briefly mentioned above,cover piece 890 may include a pair of tabs 892 each extending radiallyoutwardly from the C-shaped body adjacent each circumferential end, andeach projection 891 may project from an inner plate surface of each tab892. To receive tabs 892 and projections 891, retainer bushing 870 mayinclude recessed portions 872 and slots 876 extending from recessedportions 872 at locations corresponding to the locations of tabs 892 andprojections 891.

Recessed portion 872 may have a shape generally conforming to the shapeof corresponding tab 892. Further, recessed portion 872 may have a depth(when measured from a plane defined by bottom surface 875) substantiallyidentical to a thickness of corresponding tab 892. Thus, when coverpiece 890 is placed in retainer bushing 870, no gap is created betweentab 892 and recessed portion 872 while maintaining outer plate surface895, which includes the outer surface of tab 892, in flush relationshipwith bottom surface 875 of retainer bushing 870, as best shown in FIG.30.

Slots 876 may be formed on an outer surface of retainer bushing 870 atlocations directly opposite the locations of inner surface 874 wheredetent projections 877 and 879 are formed. Each slot 876 may extend fromeach recess portion 872 in a direction substantially parallel toretainer axis 878 with a top edge of slot 876 opening out to recessedportion 872 for receiving corresponding projection 891 of cover piece890. In an alternative embodiment, slot 876 may be closed on the outersurface of retainer bushing 870 and may instead form a hole extendingfrom recessed portion 872.

Slot 876 may have a length sufficient to receive correspondingprojection 891, and at least a portion of its length may have a widthslightly smaller than that of corresponding projection 891, so as toallow an interference-fit between projection 891 and slot 876. It shouldbe understood that the disclosed projection-slot arrangement may bereplaced with or supplemented by any other suitable engaging mechanismknown in the art, such as, for example, a snap fastener, screw, bolt,etc.

In addition to projections 891 of cover piece 890 and slots 876 ofretainer bushing 870, cover piece 890 and/or retainer bushing 870 mayinclude an additional provision for securing cover piece 890 to retainerbushing 870. For example, as shown in FIG. 29, cover plate 890 mayinclude one or more radial ribs 893 extending radially outwardly from anouter edge surface 896 of cover plate 890, and retainer bushing 870 mayinclude one or more radial slits 873 formed on inner flange 871 forreceiving radial ribs 893.

In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 29, radial slit 873 mayrepresent a recessed portion formed on an inner surface of inner flange871, with a sufficient thickness between the recessed portion and bottomsurface 875 to resist force exerted by radial rib 893 toward bottomsurface 875. In an alternative embodiment, radial slit 873 may representa slit formed on an inner edge of inner flange 871, with the recessedportion being closed in both upward and downward directions so as toresist force exerted by radial rib 893 in these directions.

To attach cover piece 890 to retainer bushing 870, according to oneexemplary embodiment, radial ribs 893 of cover piece 890 may first bealigned with corresponding radial slits 873 of retainer bushing 870. Atthis point, cover piece 890 may be positioned at a small angle withrespect to a plane perpendicular to retainer axis 878, where a loweredportion containing radial ribs 893 is brought close to correspondingradial slits 873, and a raised portion containing tabs 892 is raised. Asradial ribs 893 are inserted into radial slits 873, the raised portionis lowered to engage projections 891 with corresponding slots 876,thereby securing cover piece 890 to retainer bushing 870, as shown inFIG. 30.

The above-disclosed provisions for securing cover piece 890 to retainerbushing 870 are exemplary only. Any other suitable securing structure ormechanism known in the general mechanical art can be used additionallyor alternatively. It should also be understood that, in some exemplaryembodiments, cover piece 890 may be integrally formed with retainerbushing 870, thereby obviating the need for a structure for securingcover piece 890 to retainer bushing 870.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, alock of a retainer system may be formed of a composite structure thatmay allow a portion of the lock to move slightly or flex relative toanother portion of the lock. Such a configuration may allow the lock todisintegrate work material packed in a space between the lock and aretainer bushing and may facilitate rotation of the lock in the presenceof packed work material.

For example, FIGS. 31-33 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a lock960 formed of a composite structure. Lock 960 may include a upperportion 920, a lower portion 980, and an insert layer 940 positionedbetween upper portion 920 and lower portion 980. Upper portion 920includes a head portion 910 having a tool interface (e.g., socketrecess) for engaging with a tool for applying torque to lock 960. Lowerportion 980 includes a base of lock 960. As will be described in moredetail below, when torque is applied to the tool interface, insert layer940 may allow upper portion 920 to slightly move and cause axialdisplacement, at least momentarily, relative to lower portion 980.

Upper portion 920 may also include a portion of a skirt 930 extendingfrom head portion 910. The remaining portion of skirt 930 may becomposed of insert layer 940 and lower portion 980, as shown in FIGS. 31and 32. Upper portion 920, insert layer 940, and lower portion 980 maycollectively define a detent recess of lock 960 with a first portion927, a second portion 947, and a third portion 987, respectively.

Insert layer 940 may be formed of a flexible material, such as, forexample, rubber or any other suitable polymer material. By way ofexample only, insert layer 940 may comprise a rubber or urethane layerhaving a hardness of approximately 60 in the Type A durometer scale. Thematerial for insert layer 940 may also have sufficient resiliency towithstand the maximum torque required to rotate lock 960 withoutshearing. When torque is applied to upper portion 920, upper portion 920may slightly move momentarily relative to lower portion 980, effectivelycausing twisting action of lock 960 or axial displacement of upperportion 920 relative to lower portion 980. In some exemplaryembodiments, the displacement between upper portion 920 and lowerportion 980 during their relative movement may range from about 3 mm toabout 6 mm. Such a relative motion of lock 960 may allow upper portion920 and lower portion 980 to apply forces of different directionstowards work material packed between lock 960 and a retainer bushing,causing the packed material to break up and disintegrate and making iteasier for lock 960 to rotate.

Insert layer 940 may be disposed between upper portion 920 and lowerportion 980 using an appropriate fixing mechanism. For example, insertlayer 940 may be glued between upper portion 920 and lower portion 980.In addition, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, lower portion 980 may includea plurality of pins 985 extending from an inner surface 984, and upperportion 920 may include a plurality of corresponding holes 925configured to receive the plurality of pins 985. Insert layer 940 mayinclude a plurality of pin openings 945 configured to allow passage ofthe plurality of pins 985 therethrough. Pins 985 may be sufficientlystrong to transfer the torque applied to upper portion 920 to lowerportion 920 without breaking pins 985 and/or shearing insert layer 940.

According to still another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a lock and a retainer bushing of a retainer system may beconfigured such that an interface between the lock and retainer bushing(e.g., surfaces in contact with one another for rotation about arotation axis) may be aligned substantially parallel to a rotation axisof the lock. For example, FIGS. 34 and 35 illustrate a retainer system1000 having a lock 1060 and a retainer bushing 1070, where the interfacebetween lock 1060 and retainer bushing 1070 is aligned substantiallyparallel to a lock rotation axis 1050.

Unlike the above-described embodiments having a tapered or conicalinterface, an outer surface 1066 of lock 1060 and an inner surface 1074of retainer bushing 1070, which together form the interface between lock1060 and retainer bushing 1070, may be generally cylindrical withrespect to lock rotation axis 1050. Such a configuration may facilitaterotation of lock 1060 relative to retainer bushing 1070 despite thepresence of some packed work material in the space around lock 1060 andretainer bushing 1070.

Further, having the interface between lock 1060 and retainer bushing1070 aligned in parallel with respect to lock retainer axis 1050 mayallow insertion of lock 1060 into retainer bushing 1070 along lockrotation axis 1050 for engagement with retainer bushing 1070. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 34, lock 1060 may be inserted into retainerbushing 1070, where outer surface 1066 of lock 1060 may slide over innersurface 1074 of retainer bushing 1070 in the direction of lock retaineraxis 1050. This may also allow retainer bushing 1070 to be placed in alock cavity prior to engagement with lock 1060. For example, retainerbushing 1070 may first be placed in a lock cavity (e.g., such as lockcavity 40 shown in FIGS. 3 and 9) before being assembled or engaged withlock 1060. Thereafter, lock 1060 may be slid into retainer bushing 1070in the direction of lock rotation axis 1050.

As shown in FIG. 34, retainer bushing 1070 may include an inner flange1078 protruding from inner surface 1074 adjacent a bottom surface 1079of retainer bushing 1070. When lock 1060 is being inserted into retainerbushing 1070, inner flange 1078 of retainer bushing 1070 may abut aperipheral region of a base 1063 of lock 1060, functioning as a stopmember for positioning lock 1060 in retainer bushing 1070.

Further, around a top portion 1071 of retainer bushing 1070, innersurface 1074 may define a reduced portion 1072 with a radius slightlysmaller than a radius of outer surface 1066 of lock 1060, where theremaining portion of inner surface 1074 has a radius substantially equalto or slightly greater than the radius of outer surface 1066. When lock1060 is being inserted into retainer bushing 1070, top portion 1071 maybe slightly deflected out to receive lock 1060. Once outer surface 1066of lock 1060 passes through reduced portion 1072, top portion 1071 mayreturn to its original shape with reduced portion 1072 abutting orembracing an edge portion 1069 of lock 1060, as shown in FIG. 35,thereby preventing an axial movement of lock 1060 relative to retainerbushing 1070 in the direction of lock rotation axis 1050.

Similar to the other exemplary embodiments described above, lock 1060and retainer bushing 1070 may include appropriate detents for releasablyholding lock 1060 inside retainer bushing 1070. For example, retainerbushing 1070 may include one or more detent projections 1077 protrudingfrom inner surface 1074, and lock 1060 may include one or morecorresponding detent recesses 1067 configured to receive detentprojections 1077.

In some exemplary embodiments, as best shown in FIG. 34, detent recess1067 of lock 1060 may extend beyond a length required to receive detentprojection 1077. For example, detent recess 1067 may extendsubstantially the entire length of lock 1060 in a direction generallyparallel to lock rotation axis 1050. In one exemplary embodiment, detentrecess 1067 may further extend continuously along a tab 1088 of a headportion 1080. Extended detent recess 1067 may provide a path for workmaterial packed around detent projection 1077 to exit out of detentrecess 1067 when lock 1060 is rotated relative to retainer bushing 1070between a locked position and an unlocked position.

In some exemplary embodiments, the size and/or shape of detent recess1067 may not conform with the size and/or shape of detent projection1077, such that a space may be formed between detent recess 1067 anddetent projection 1077 when detent projection 1077 is received in detentrecess 1067. For example, detent recess 1067 may have a cross-sectionalarea greater than that of detent projection 1077 (when the cross-sectionis taken along a plane substantially perpendicular to lock rotation axis1050) to create a gap between detent recess 1067 and detent projection1077.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The disclosed retainer systems and ground engaging tools may beapplicable to various earth-working machines, such as, for example,excavators, wheel loaders, hydraulic mining shovels, cable shovels,bucket wheels, bulldozers, and draglines. When installed, the disclosedretainer systems and ground engaging tools may protect variousimplements associated with the earth-working machines against wear inthe areas where the most damaging abrasions and impacts occur and,thereby, prolong the useful life of the implements.

The disclosed configurations of various retainer systems and componentsmay provide secure and reliable attachment and detachment of groundengaging tools to various earth-working implements. In particular,certain configurations of the disclosed retainer systems may addresscertain issues associated with work material getting into the spacearound the retainer system and increasing friction between components ofthe retainer system and/or between retainer system and a ground engagingtool. Moreover, certain configurations of the disclosed retainer systemsmay reduce friction between components of a retainer system and/orbetween a component of a retainer system and a ground engaging tool.

For example, in one exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, aretainer system 1000 includes a lock 1060 and a retainer bushing 1070.Retainer bushing 1070 is configured to mate with inner surface 43 oflock cavity 40 of tip 30 (see FIGS. 3, 8, and 9), and lock 1060 isconfigured to mate with inner surface 1074 of retainer bushing 1070. Toattach tip 30 to adapter 20, lock 1060 and retainer bushing 1070 areassembled into lock cavity 40 of tip 30. Lock cavity 40 opens into sideslot 41 that extends rearward, which allows passage of post 23 ofadapter 20. Once post 23 is inserted inside lock slot 62, lock 1060 isrotated about lock rotation axis 1050 to a locked position. In thisposition, lock 1060 and retainer bushing 1070 cooperatively locks post23 inside the lock slot, so as to prevent sliding movement of tip 30relative to adapter 20. In the locked position, detent 1067 of lock 1060may engage detent 1077 of retainer bushing 1070, which may releasablyhold lock 1060 in the locked position.

To detach tip 30 from adapter 20, lock 1060 is rotated from the lockedposition to an unlocked position to cause detents 1067 and 1077 todisengage from one another. Once detent 1067 and detent 1077 aredisengaged from one another, outer surface 1066 of lock 1060 may slidealong inner surface 1074 of retainer bushing 1070, as lock 1060 rotatesaround lock rotation axis 1050. Once lock 1060 rotates approximately 180degrees around lock rotation axis 1050, detents 1067 and 1077 mayreengage one another to releasably hold lock 1060 in that rotationalposition.

In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, a retainersystem may include a cover piece 890 configured to cover a portion of abottom opening of a retainer bushing 870, such that, when a lock isplaced in a locked position inside retainer bushing 870, a bottomopening of a lock slot (e.g., lock slot 62 shown in FIG. 10) issubstantially sealed or covered by cover piece 890. Covering the bottomopening of the lock slot during the locked position may substantiallyprevent work material from penetrating inside the space between the lockand retainer bushing 870, thereby substantially reducing the packing ofwork material in the retainer system and making it easier to rotate thelock relative retainer bushing 870.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the disclosed retainersystems and/or ground engaging tool systems. Other embodiments will beapparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of thespecification and practice of the disclosed method and apparatus. It isintended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplaryonly, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims andtheir equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A retainer system for a ground engaging tool,comprising: a lock including a C-shaped portion defining a lock slotbetween two circumferential ends for receiving a portion of a supportmember to be locked with the ground engaging tool; a retainer bushingincluding an inner surface configured to receive the lock, wherein thelock is rotatable relative to the retainer bushing and about a retaineraxis between an unlocked position and a locked position; and a coverpiece configured to be attached to the retainer bushing for covering thelock slot of the lock when the lock is in the locked position.
 2. Theretainer system of claim 1, wherein the retainer bushing comprises aninner flange extending inward from the inner surface and defining abottom surface of the retainer bushing, and the cover piece isconfigured to contact the inner flange.
 3. The retainer system of claim2, wherein the cover piece comprises an outer plate surface that issubstantially flush with the bottom surface of the retainer bushing. 4.The retainer system of claim 1, wherein the cover piece comprises agenerally C-shaped plate member extending about the retainer axis. 5.The retainer system of claim 4, wherein the C-shaped plate memberextends approximately the same angular degree around the retainer axisas the C-shaped portion of the retainer bushing.
 6. The retainer systemof claim 4, wherein the cover piece comprises an outer plate surfaceextending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the retainer axis.7. The retainer system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of thecover piece is integrally formed with the retainer bushing.
 8. Theretainer system of claim 1, wherein: the cover piece comprises at leastone projection extending from an inner plate surface of the cover piece,and the retainer bushing comprises at least one opening configured toreceive the at least one projection to attach the cover piece thereto.9. The retainer system of claim 8, wherein the retainer bushingcomprises at least one detent formed on the inner surface, and the atleast one opening is formed on an outer surface directly opposite theinner surface.
 10. The retainer system of claim 8, wherein the coverpiece comprises a generally C-shaped plate member, and the at least oneprojection comprises a pair of projections each located adjacent acircumferential end of the C-shaped plate member.
 11. The retainersystem of claim 10, wherein the cover piece comprises a pair of tabseach extending radially outwardly from the C-shaped plate memberadjacent each of the circumferential ends of the C-shaped plate member,and each of the pair of projections extends from the corresponding oneof the tabs.
 12. The retainer system of claim 1, wherein: the coverpiece comprises a radial rib extending radially outwardly from an outeredge surface of the cover piece, and the retainer bushing comprises aradial slit formed on an inner flange extending inward from the innersurface adjacent a bottom surface of the retainer bushing, the radialslit being configured to receive the radial rib.
 13. A cover piece foruse with a retainer system for a ground engaging tool, the retainersystem including a lock and a retainer bushing configured to receive thelock, the lock defining a lock slot configured to receive a portion of asupport member to be locked with the ground engaging tool and beingrotatable relative to the retainer bushing about a retainer axis betweenan unlocked position and a locked position, the cover piece comprising:a plate member configured to be attached to the retainer bushing andcover the lock slot of the lock when the lock is in the locked position.14. The cover piece of claim 13, wherein the plate member is generallyC-shaped and extends about the retainer axis.
 15. The cover piece ofclaim 14, wherein the plate member comprises an outer plate surface thatis substantially flush with a bottom surface of the retainer bushingwhen the plate member is attached to the retainer bushing.
 16. The coverpiece of claim 13, further comprising at least one projection extendingfrom an inner plate surface of the plate member, wherein the at leastone projection is configured to mate with at least one opening of theretainer bushing.
 17. The cover piece of claim 16, wherein the platemember comprises a generally C-shaped plate member, and the at least oneprojection includes a pair of projections each located adjacent acircumferential end of the C-shaped plate member.
 18. The cover piece ofclaim 17, further comprising a pair of tabs each extending radiallyoutwardly from the C-shaped plate member adjacent each of thecircumferential ends of the C-shaped plate member, and each of the pairof projections extends from the corresponding one of the tabs.
 19. Thecover piece of claim 13, further comprising a rib extending radiallyoutwardly from an outer edge surface of the plate member, the rib beingconfigured to mate with a slit formed on the retainer bushing adjacent abottom surface of the retainer bushing.
 20. A cover piece for use with aretainer bushing for a ground engaging tool, the retainer bushingincluding a C-shaped portion configured to rotatably receive a lockabout a retainer axis for engaging a portion of a support member to belocked with the ground engaging tool, the cover piece comprising: aC-shaped plate member extending approximately the same angular degreearound the retainer axis as the C-shaped portion of the retainer bushingand being configured to be attached to the retainer bushing to cover atleast a portion of a bottom opening of the retainer bushing defined bythe C-shaped portion; wherein the plate member comprises an outer platesurface that is substantially flush with the bottom surface of theretainer bushing when the plate member is attached to the retainerbushing.